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news.Researchers from Taiwan's National Health Research Institutes have shown that components of PRB Pharmaceuticals' AMF-1, a drug best known for its ability to restrain bird flu virus, could also be effective in combating SARS.
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The study suggests that two components of AMF-1, itself a fraction of PRB Pharmaceuticals over the counter flu medication VIRA 38, are effective in inhibiting a 3C-like enzyme, present in the SARS virus, which breaks down proteins.
The senior author of the study Dr John Hsu said: The 3C-like protease (3CLpro) is one of the most promising targets for anti-SARS-CoV drugs due to its crucial role in the viral life cycle.
PRB said it has filed patents on the two components of AMF-1 directed at a number of infectious diseases including SARS and bird flu.
In related news, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine recently found that inhibitors of an enzyme called cathepsin L prevent the SARS virus from entering target cells.